Have you visited the Adler Planetarium?

The First Planetarium in the Western Hemisphere was built in 1930 right here in Chicago, by Max Adler.

In 1928, Max Adler, a local business leader in Sears, Roebuck and Company, decided to invest part of his fortune in a public facility that would benefit future generations of Chicagoans.

Adler heard of a machine that could replicate the night sky and that it was being demonstrated in Europe. He was compelled to personally investigate this discovery and set off for Germany to see it in action.



Adler was so impressed that he donated the funds to create the first modern planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.

In 1999, the Adler Planetarium completed a major renovation which added two new gift shops, the Gateway to the Universe and History of Astronomy Galleries, along with the refurbished Sky Theater. A $40 million project.

Today, Adler remains one of the world's leading museums dedicated to the exploration of the universe.

Other exhibit galleries including the historic Atwood Sphere, a telescope terrace, a lakefront restaurant and the world's first StarRider Theater, a compelling virtual environment in which audiences can actively explore the Universe.

The critically acclaimed architecture of the Sky Pavilion was conceived by Lohan Associates of Chicago and artfully combines history with contemporary design.